February 2012 LSAT Study Group Forum

[afnaidel]

How are people doing? What's your strategy now that test day is near? I know a few of us have been around for a while. Personally, I think I'm going to ease up and trust that I've done enough. Maybe just a couple sections a day until game day.

Hi, I'm new to this particular post.. though I've been reading this post since I started preparing for the February test.

Anyway, here's my situation that might help you.

Until about a week ago, I've been scoring 176-179 range on PTs (mostly PT 5X). I felt like I could ace the test if I were to take the test on that week.
Then, I decided to "ease up" for the last two to three weeks. I spend most of this week relaxing and enjoying other things I put aside for LSAT.
The result... terrible.

After about 4 days of relaxing (I only did a few sections), I decided to take PT for weekends. Yesterday, I took Superprep B, and just took PT 58 today.
For both PTs, I couldn't finish some of the sections, and I completely messed up RC sections. The score? About 170 on both.

Although PT 58 and Superprep B are known for their difficulties, the biggest problem for me was that I couldn't focus at all compared to when I was scoring 176+ on PTs.

So now I'm planning to spend at least 8 out of 12 days on PTs (including Thursday and Friday before the test).
Of course, everyone is different when it comes to final preparation strategies. But you might want to make sure that relaxing will not lower your ability to focus.

[john1990]

took a dissapointing PT
LG 19/24 F
LR 22/24 A
LR 23/26 A
RC 19/27 F
167

This was the last superprep and i really blew RC, 15/16 then 4/11 to finish. Couldn't even attempt the last LG guessed 1/5
I agree that you have to stay fresh on all subjects, i was scoring 23's on RC and then shifted my focus just to have myself in a bad place on this test where 2 more correct answers would have had me with a 169. I would say that you have to at least continue to drill all sections to keep everything fresh in your mind going into the test. I will take 2 prep tests a week and drill sections.
shooting for a 170 come 2/11

[bernaldiaz]

Double post.

[bernaldiaz]

How are people doing? What's your strategy now that test day is near? I know a few of us have been around for a while. Personally, I think I'm going to ease up and trust that I've done enough. Maybe just a couple sections a day until game day.

Hi, I'm new to this particular post.. though I've been reading this post since I started preparing for the February test.

Anyway, here's my situation that might help you.

Until about a week ago, I've been scoring 176-179 range on PTs (mostly PT 5X). I felt like I could ace the test if I were to take the test on that week.
Then, I decided to "ease up" for the last two to three weeks. I spend most of this week relaxing and enjoying other things I put aside for LSAT.
The result... terrible.

After about 4 days of relaxing (I only did a few sections), I decided to take PT for weekends. Yesterday, I took Superprep B, and just took PT 58 today.
For both PTs, I couldn't finish some of the sections, and I completely messed up RC sections. The score? About 170 on both.

Although PT 58 and Superprep B are known for their difficulties, the biggest problem for me was that I couldn't focus at all compared to when I was scoring 176+ on PTs.

So now I'm planning to spend at least 8 out of 12 days on PTs (including Thursday and Friday before the test).
Of course, everyone is different when it comes to final preparation strategies. But you might want to make sure that relaxing will not lower your ability to focus.

I'm pretty much exactly in your boat. I had back to back 179's before a 172 then a 170. However, my self diagnosis isn't that I'm not sharp. I just think I may have become complacent on PTs because in my head I realize I've pretty much done all the prep work I can. I'm going to take maybe 3 more PTs and the rest of the days try to do a section of each every day.

[MBshine22]

How are people doing? What's your strategy now that test day is near? I know a few of us have been around for a while. Personally, I think I'm going to ease up and trust that I've done enough. Maybe just a couple sections a day until game day.

Hi, I'm new to this particular post.. though I've been reading this post since I started preparing for the February test.

Anyway, here's my situation that might help you.

Until about a week ago, I've been scoring 176-179 range on PTs (mostly PT 5X). I felt like I could ace the test if I were to take the test on that week.
Then, I decided to "ease up" for the last two to three weeks. I spend most of this week relaxing and enjoying other things I put aside for LSAT.
The result... terrible.

After about 4 days of relaxing (I only did a few sections), I decided to take PT for weekends. Yesterday, I took Superprep B, and just took PT 58 today.
For both PTs, I couldn't finish some of the sections, and I completely messed up RC sections. The score? About 170 on both.

Although PT 58 and Superprep B are known for their difficulties, the biggest problem for me was that I couldn't focus at all compared to when I was scoring 176+ on PTs.

So now I'm planning to spend at least 8 out of 12 days on PTs (including Thursday and Friday before the test).
Of course, everyone is different when it comes to final preparation strategies. But you might want to make sure that relaxing will not lower your ability to focus.

I'm pretty much exactly in your boat. I had back to back 179's before a 172 then a 170. However, my self diagnosis isn't that I'm not sharp. I just think I may have become complacent on PTs because in my head I realize I've pretty much done all the prep work I can. I'm going to take maybe 3 more PTs and the rest of the days try to do a section of each every day.

Dang, same thing happened to me. I was scoring right at +/-170 last week, was feeling good, decided to ease off studying for about 4 days to refresh, and then my score dropped about 5 points. I just took the SuperPrep B too (w/ PT 60 LG as experimental section), which I had never taken before, and scored a 165. I got caught up on LG (which really pissed me off). I'm definitely going to put in a solid 3 hours everyday for the next week or so, and complete about 3 full-length PT's between now and Feb. 09. But I still think taking off that Thursday and Friday before the actual test may be a good idea. What do you ya'll think?

[Howl]

Anyone else thinking at this point that this was all a mistake and one would be better off canceling right after the exam and taking it in June? Anxiety settling in now... I'm especially frustrated because I usually score 175+ on untimed tests (usually spending 40 minutes on each section) but under the stress of timing and bubbling I haven't been able to crack 170 on PTs. I've only started studying since late-December. I feel like I can really "get it" in time if I practice enough, but time's running out fast.

Is it true that the Feb one usually has a nice curve and the June one has the hardest curve? Argh. I hate this defeatist attitude but I'm already predicting that I will cancel right after the exam, but then again if the June curve is harder I don't know how wise of a decision it would be.

[MBshine22]

Anyone else thinking at this point that this was all a mistake and one would be better off canceling right after the exam and taking it in June? Anxiety settling in now... I'm especially frustrated because I usually score 175+ on untimed tests (usually spending 40 minutes on each section) but under the stress of timing and bubbling I haven't been able to crack 170 on PTs. I've only started studying since late-December. I feel like I can really "get it" in time if I practice enough, but time's running out fast.

Is it true that the Feb one usually has a nice curve and the June one has the hardest curve? Argh. I hate this defeatist attitude but I'm already predicting that I will cancel right after the exam, but then again if the June curve is harder I don't know how wise of a decision it would be.

Feb. test hasn't been disclosed in a over a decade, so there's no real way to know how it's been "curved" lately. Based on older Feb. test's data, and people's (subjective and unsubstantiated) testimony, February's "curve" is known to be just as tough as June's. But I hope you realize that it's not really curved, it's equated, and that the difference in the "curve" is really only about a 1.5 points from a "good curve" to a "bad curve". So don't even worry about that. You're gonna get roughly the same score regardless. But I would probably hold off until June if I were you. Don't take the test until you're confident you're fully prepared.

[LSATDecimator]

Greetings Feb LSAT Group:

I've finally left the family and am now camped out at a hotel for the week (cheap weekly rates). Having taken 26 consecutive PT's, I will reach my goal of 30 on Tuesday. I am then doing some lighter review for Wed & Thrs. and am not even thinking about the LSAT on Friday. I would advise others to taper down their efforts as well in order to retain sufficient brain power for the big day. While my scores have decreased to a constant yet unseemly level, I know that it is only because my brain is considerably fatigued. Nevertheless, it is well exercised and ready for the test, granted I give it the rest it requires.

We are about to embark upon an intellectual marathon. Marathon runners taper down before the event to let their muscles recuperate, enabling them to endure the many challenges ahead.

Let's CRUSH this test!

BEST,
LSATD

[bernaldiaz]

Greetings Feb LSAT Group:

I've finally left the family and am now camped out at a hotel for the week (cheap weekly rates). Having taken 26 consecutive PT's, I will reach my goal of 30 on Tuesday. I am then doing some lighter review for Wed & Thrs. and am not even thinking about the LSAT on Friday. I would advise others to taper down their efforts as well in order to retain sufficient brain power for the big day. While my scores have decreased to a constant yet unseemly level, I know that it is only because my brain is considerably fatigued. Nevertheless, it is well exercised and ready for the test, granted I give it the rest it requires.

We are about to embark upon an intellectual marathon. Marathon runners taper down before the event to let their muscles recuperate, enabling them to endure the many challenges ahead.

Let's CRUSH this test!

BEST,
LSATD

How have your scores progressed?

edit: I see you said they decreased, but from what to what, if you don't mind me asking. I'm interested in seeing the efficacy of your study plan.

[bernaldiaz]

Hey guys,

I'm just looking at the emails from the LSAC now. We don't have our "ticket" yet, do we? Do they send it in the next week or should we already be in posession of it? Also, how do you find out exactly where your room is? I know I'm taking it on my campus, but haven't been able to figure out exactly where. Will this information be forthcoming from the LSAC?

Thanks

[afnaidel]

Hey guys,

I'm just looking at the emails from the LSAC now. We don't have our "ticket" yet, do we? Do they send it in the next week or should we already be in posession of it? Also, how do you find out exactly where your room is? I know I'm taking it on my campus, but haven't been able to figure out exactly where. Will this information be forthcoming from the LSAC?

Thanks

You're supposed to print your own ticket.

Go to the LSAC website, log in, and it will tell you to print your ticket.

The ticket says which building you'll be in, but you won't know the exact room until the test day (unless you ask whoever directly administrates the test). Also, some colleges move you around, so there's a chance that you won't actually be taking the test in the building noted on the ticket.

[bernaldiaz]

Hey guys,

I'm just looking at the emails from the LSAC now. We don't have our "ticket" yet, do we? Do they send it in the next week or should we already be in posession of it? Also, how do you find out exactly where your room is? I know I'm taking it on my campus, but haven't been able to figure out exactly where. Will this information be forthcoming from the LSAC?

Thanks

You're supposed to print your own ticket.

Go to the LSAC website, log in, and it will tell you to print your ticket.

The ticket says which building you'll be in, but you won't know the exact room until the test day (unless you ask whoever directly administrates the test). Also, some colleges move you around, so there's a chance that you won't actually be taking the test in the building noted on the ticket.

Nice thanks. Also wondering, has anyone practiced the writing section? Obviously it's not scored but I looked at one the other day and its way different than any writing I've ever done. More like a case interview. Wasn't sure if people just did one beforehand or something.

[john1990]

Hey guys,

I'm just looking at the emails from the LSAC now. We don't have our "ticket" yet, do we? Do they send it in the next week or should we already be in posession of it? Also, how do you find out exactly where your room is? I know I'm taking it on my campus, but haven't been able to figure out exactly where. Will this information be forthcoming from the LSAC?

Thanks

You're supposed to print your own ticket.

Go to the LSAC website, log in, and it will tell you to print your ticket.

The ticket says which building you'll be in, but you won't know the exact room until the test day (unless you ask whoever directly administrates the test). Also, some colleges move you around, so there's a chance that you won't actually be taking the test in the building noted on the ticket.

Nice thanks. Also wondering, has anyone practiced the writing section? Obviously it's not scored but I looked at one the other day and its way different than any writing I've ever done. More like a case interview. Wasn't sure if people just did one beforehand or something.

I completed a writing section once before my first lsat. You don't have too since it counts for nothing, but you might as well. Considering your personal statement and everything else that goes into an application, the writing section probably gets 0 weight. I cant imagine it having any affect

[Howl]

I ended up taking everyone's advice and withdrew my registration for Feb. I just wasn't ready and in the end I decided that the possible negatives from taking the LSAT now far outweighed the possible positives. Best of luck on the test, I really really wish you guys success!

[MBshine22]

Hey guys,

I'm just looking at the emails from the LSAC now. We don't have our "ticket" yet, do we? Do they send it in the next week or should we already be in posession of it? Also, how do you find out exactly where your room is? I know I'm taking it on my campus, but haven't been able to figure out exactly where. Will this information be forthcoming from the LSAC?

Thanks

You're supposed to print your own ticket.

Go to the LSAC website, log in, and it will tell you to print your ticket.

The ticket says which building you'll be in, but you won't know the exact room until the test day (unless you ask whoever directly administrates the test). Also, some colleges move you around, so there's a chance that you won't actually be taking the test in the building noted on the ticket.

Nice thanks. Also wondering, has anyone practiced the writing section? Obviously it's not scored but I looked at one the other day and its way different than any writing I've ever done. More like a case interview. Wasn't sure if people just did one beforehand or something.

I completed a writing section once before my first lsat. You don't have too since it counts for nothing, but you might as well. Considering your personal statement and everything else that goes into an application, the writing section probably gets 0 weight. I cant imagine it having any affect

Although the LSAT writing section has been largely ignored in the past, the trend is that it is becoming increasingly important. For instance, Emory Law explicitly states that, "in making admission decisions, Emory looks carefully at writing ability as evidenced by the LSAT essay...". Therefore I definitely recommend doing at least one PT that includes a writing section. It most likely won't have a big impact on your application, but it really depends on the school you're applying to.

Edit: Also, Susan Estrich - former law professor at Harvard and close friend to many top law school Deans - said the following about the LSAT writing sample: "A number of faculty members have told me that in close cases, they consider them decisive. I can't tell you how much sense that makes to me. In a world where you can hire someone to do almost everything else for you, I can see why people will increasingly start looking at that as an honest tie-breaker in close cases." And she said that roughly 5 years ago.

[abbottsbar]

I'm sort of indifferent now to the test on Saturday. I've already been accepted to my number one choice, so it looks like I'm just taking it in the hopes of being able to hopefully secure some additional scholarship money.

Best of luck to everybody on Saturday, 180s for all.

[john1990]

Finished PT 39
LG 21/23
LR 19/24
RC 24/28
LR 25/26

88/101

170

I went 5/8 on one RC passage because i recognized the familiar theme of fairy tales and mistakenly thought that i had already done this passage before found out to late and didn't want to over-invest so i cut my losses.
the second RC section was just hard i though, i took my time and got 19/22, then went 0/2 on guessing the final q's. 170 would be a fine score on test day though, in fact 168 would be alright by me, so im "all-in" for the Febraury LSAT

[bernaldiaz]

So what's everyone aiming for? By this I mean, what's the number that you'll say "Ok, I did this. I have a score that shows my ability. I'm done with this thing", not necessarily the number that you're secretly praying for.

I'm gunna say I'd be content with a 172. Anything less I'd really think about retaking.

[john1990]

So what's everyone aiming for? By this I mean, what's the number that you'll say "Ok, I did this. I have a score that shows my ability. I'm done with this thing", not necessarily the number that you're secretly praying for.

I'm gunna say I'd be content with a 172. Anything less I'd really think about retaking.

This will be my 3rd time taking the LSAT, and i think a 169 is representative of my ability

[bernaldiaz]

So what's everyone aiming for? By this I mean, what's the number that you'll say "Ok, I did this. I have a score that shows my ability. I'm done with this thing", not necessarily the number that you're secretly praying for.

I'm gunna say I'd be content with a 172. Anything less I'd really think about retaking.

This will be my 3rd time taking the LSAT, and i think a 169 is representative of my ability

Good luck I hope you nail it this time!

[abbottsbar]

So what's everyone aiming for? By this I mean, what's the number that you'll say "Ok, I did this. I have a score that shows my ability. I'm done with this thing", not necessarily the number that you're secretly praying for.

I'm gunna say I'd be content with a 172. Anything less I'd really think about retaking.

Anywhere within my most recent PT range and I would be completely content (171-174)

[rufus&miles]

.

[bernaldiaz]

I need a 173 to be satisfied. I've been PT-ing from 168 to 175, so it may not happen but I always have June to retake before applying.

Huh, I very much scaled down my expectations relative to my PT range in comparison. I haven't scored below 170 in like 2 months, most tests have been 172-179 (except for one 170). If I hit the bottom of my PT range, personally I'll be satisfied. Maybe it's jsut because everyone says to expect a 3 point drop on your first test or whatever, but I definitely have tempered expectations.

[Easy-E]

I need a 173 to be satisfied. I've been PT-ing from 168 to 175, so it may not happen but I always have June to retake before applying.

Huh, I very much scaled down my expectations relative to my PT range in comparison. I haven't scored below 170 in like 2 months, most tests have been 172-179 (except for one 170). If I hit the bottom of my PT range, personally I'll be satisfied. Maybe it's jsut because everyone says to expect a 3 point drop on your first test or whatever, but I definitely have tempered expectations.

If I recall correctly, you were doing Velocity, right? How much an improvement have you made, and how many weeks did you do? Hitting over 170 consistently is quite good, congrats.





-----Good luck to everyone!

[Zelda]

Just wanted to stop in and wish everyone good luck this Saturday! I took the test October 2011 so if anyone has specific questions feel free to PM me!